JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 3, 2008) -- ETSU men's basketball players and coaches took time from their class and practice schedules to volunteer earlier this week by serving meals at the Salvation Army location in downtown Johnson City.

According to head coach Murry Bartow, having the team involved in community service is part of the overall student-athlete experience.

"Our teams have always stressed community service," Bartow said. "The entire athletic department at ETSU has had 100 percent participation in community service for the last several years, and our coaching staff believes this is part of the process we go through to educate our players and develop them as good citizens -- not just great basketball players."

The Bucs are just a little over two weeks away from beginning preseason practice. The team opens its season with an exhibition Nov. 1 inside Memorial Center against Milligan. The regular season will begin Nov. 14 at the Charleston Classic against Temple.